Treat virtual ID, UID token as Aadhaar number: UIDAI to agencies

New Delhi,jul 18:
Virtual ID system and UID token are different forms of Aadhaar number, and those should be deemed as the 12-digit biometric number for identity verification and to satisfy regulatory compliance, the UIDAI said.
The twin features are “different forms of Aadhaar number”, and “will be deemed as the Aadhaar number for the purposes of compliance” of regulations, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has clarified.According to a recent gazette notification, the entities classified as local Authentication User Agencies or local AUAs have been directed to make stipulated changes in their systems for use of Virtual ID (VID) and UID token as substitute of Aadhaar number and limited eKYC.The Aadhaar-issuing body, on July 1, rolled out the Virtual ID (VID) feature which an Aadhaar-card holder can generate from its website and produce for various authentication purposes, instead of sharing the actual 12-digit biometric ID.The freshly minted twin features are aimed at strengthening the privacy and security of Aadhaar data, in the face of increasing concerns over collection of personal and demographic details of individuals.The UIDAI has already classified all authentication agencies registered with it under two heads — global or local. Banks have been categorised as global AUAs (authentication user agency), and telecom companies amongst local AUAs for the purpose .